Framing kit

ABSTRACT

The framing system has a frame with a top wall. The top wall has an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening for viewing the article placed within the frame. Within the frame and covering the framed item is a sheet of transparent material, such as acrylic plastic. The sheet has a depending flange about its periphery for spacing the transparent material from the artwork. The use of the transparent material having a depending flange, in place of a spacer, reduces time, effort and cost in framing the item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diplomas, photographs and artwork, such as prints and paintings are often framed for display. Placing such items in a frame allows them to be mounted on a wall or propped up on a surface such as a mantel or tabletop. In addition to enhancing the visibility of the framed item, the frame also provides protection by providing a barrier, such as glass or plastic, over the item. Proper framing includes placing the item on backing, adding matting and securing within the frame. Framing can be a difficult and time consuming process.

Prior devices have been developed for displaying items. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0048010 (Will). Will discloses a viewing surface 4 having sidewalls 6 and outwardly extending lip 2. The lip is covered by a display cover 1.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,579,887 (Rochelt) discloses a desk frame having a transparent member 11 with a front face 30 and sides 33, 34. A picture or other material 32 is received within the transparent member and is joined to parallel sides 22, 23 of a support 12.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0108287 (Tran) discloses a display frame having a window 22, and bubble 24 received within an aperture 118.

There is a need in the prior art for a framing system which is easy to assemble yet offers protection and visual enhancement to the item being framed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The framing system has a frame with a top wall. The top wall has an outer edge and an inner edge defining an opening for viewing the article placed within the frame. Within the frame and covering the framed item is a sheet of transparent material, such as acrylic plastic. The sheet has a depending flange about its periphery for spacing the transparent material from the artwork. The use of the transparent material having a depending flange, in place of a spacer, reduces time, effort and cost in framing the item.

A framing kit has a frame having a top wall with an inner and outer edge. The inner edge defines an opening to view a framed item. A transparent sheet underlies the frame top wall, the transparent sheet having an outer peripheral edge. A depending flange extends from the outer peripheral edge.

A framing kit has a frame and a transparent sheet, the frame covering the edge of the transparent sheet. A flange depends from the transparent sheet and contacts the frame.

A method of framing an item includes placing the item on a backing and covering the item with a sheet of transparent material. Also, spacing the sheet from the item by a flange depending from the sheet and covering the sheet with a frame.

It is an object of the invention to provide a transparent material used in framing having an integral spacer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a transparent material having an integral spacer reducing the time and cost in framing artwork.

It is another object of the invention to provide a transparent material usable with conventional frames and backing material.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the disclosure of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through the edge of a conventional framing arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a framing kit of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of a sheet for forming the top surface and depending flange used in the framing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a conventional framing arrangement with a frame 10 having a top wall 12 and a side wall 18 extending downwardly from the top wall 12. The side wall has an outer edge 14 and an inner edge 16 defining a central opening through which the artwork is viewed. For purposes of this invention, the term artwork means photographs, paintings, diplomas, prints or any other material that may be placed within a frame. A transparent plate 20, such as glass, extends across the opening and under the top wall 12. The transparent plate 20 protects the framed material from damage, yet allows viewing. The artwork 32 is connected to both a mat 34 and backing 36. The mat adds visual attractiveness to the artwork 32. The backing 36 provides support and structural rigidity. A spacer 28 is adhered to the bottom of the transparent plate 20 by such means as adhesive 24. The spacer underlies the top wall 12 so as not to be seen and interfere with the viewing of the artwork 32.

FIG. 2 shows the framing kit of the invention, incorporating the transparent material, such as acrylic plastic, which may have a depending flange. With all other structure may remain the same, the transparent plate 20 with the spacer 28 secured to its underside may be replaced by transparent material 40, such as, for example, acrylic, having a top surface 42 and a depending flange 44. The depending flange 44 may be spaced outwardly of the frame inner edge 16. The transparent material 40 may extend under the top wall 12 of the frame. The unitary structure of the top wall 42 and depending flange 44 may serve to space the transparent material from the artwork in a simple, efficient manner.

The depending flange 44 of the transparent material 40 may be formed in many ways. In addition, the flange 44 need not be co-extensive with the entire periphery of the top wall 42. It is only necessary that the depending flange 44 serve to space the top wall 42 from the artwork.

One manner in forming the top wall 42 and depending flange 44 is seen in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the proper size flat sheet of clear material is chosen. The correct size top wall 42 for the size frame is chosen and an appropriate depending flange height, such as ¼ inch, is chosen. A diagonal cut 46 in each corner is made and the edges of the sheet are folded downwardly to form the depending flange 44. The remaining central portion forms the top wall 42. This illustrates a quick and easy way for forming a top wall and depending flange from a flat piece of acrylic, properly sized to form the correct top wall and depending flange for the frame to be used.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, variations and modifications would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention encompasses such variations and modifications. 

1. A framing kit, comprising a frame having a top wall with an inner and outer edge, said inner edge defining an opening to view on a framed item; a transparent sheet underlying said frame top wall, said transparent sheet having an outer peripheral edge, and a depending flange extending from said outer peripheral edge.
 2. The framing kit of claim 1, further comprising a sidewall extending from said frame top wall outer edge.
 3. The framing kit of claim 1, further comprising a backing for providing support to a framed item, said depending flange extending to said backing.
 4. The framing kit of claim 1, wherein said transparent sheet is plastic.
 5. The framing kit of claim 4, wherein said transparent sheet is acrylic plastic.
 6. A framing kit, comprising a frame, a transparent sheet, said frame covering the edge of said transparent sheet, and a flange depending from said transparent sheet, said flange contacting said frame.
 7. The framing kit of claim 6, wherein said frame having a top wall and a side wall, said top wall covering at least an edge of said transparent sheet, said side wall contacting said flange.
 8. A method of framing an item, comprising providing a backing, placing the item on the backing, providing a sheet of transparent material, covering the item with a sheet of transparent material, providing the sheet with a spacing flange which depends therefrom, spacing the sheet from the item by the flange, providing a frame, and covering the sheet with the frame.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising surrounding the flange depending from the sheet with a sidewall depending from the frame. 